CBU Receives Funding to Develop Research Spaces

When we think of university research labs, microscopes and lab coats might come to mind. At Cape Breton University, research spans a range of disciplines and so does the lab equipment and space needed to conduct this important research. This includes the work of CBU researchers Bettina Callary and Lachlan MacKinnon. Both were recognized with funding from the Canadian Foundation for Innovation’s John L. Evens Leadership Fund, along with matching funds from Research Nova Scotia. The funds will assist with the development of research spaces suited to their unique and specialized studies.

Dr. Bettina Callary is the Canada Research Chair in Sport Coaching and Adult Learning. Her groundbreaking research continues to be vital in understanding adults’ distinct psychological and social coaching needs as master athletes. Dr. Callary’s work focuses on two pillars of research broadly affecting the health and well-being of aging Canadians: coaching adult athletes, as well as coach education and development. With that, she had a vision for a Community Active Sport Training and Learning Lab (CoASTaL) to foster growth and leadership in sport coaching and healthy active living. That vision is now becoming a reality, thanks to the award of nearly $100,000 from CFI and RNS.

“The CoASTaL lab is important to engage with local and global researchers and community interests, with virtual and in-person meeting spaces,” says Dr. Callary. “The investment of CFI and RNS will contribute to a community focus on health and wellbeing beyond the scope of my research, with a space dedicated to active living and sport throughout the life course.” The CoASTaL lab is aptly located in the same building as CBU sports facilities, in the area of campus that includes the track, soccer pitches and hiking trail.

Dr. Lachlan MacKinnon is the Canada Research Chair in Post Industrial Communities. His project is linked to CBU’s Centre for Cape Breton Studies, where nearly $180,000 in funding from CFI and RNS will be invested. This includes the purchase of new equipment to advance the digitization of archival and audio records, the production of CDs and video projects and the creation of museum exhibits and websites.

“Cape Breton Island is a living laboratory for the study of deindustrialization and post-industrial economic and social transformation,” says Dr. MacKinnon. “The support of the funding partners will build CBU’s capacity to become a hub for digital and story-based research on Nova Scotia and the Atlantic region.”

Dr. Tanya Brann-Barrett, Vice-President, Academic and Research, says the work of both researchers is aligned with CBU’s research priorities.

“We are excited to see CBU researchers awarded with funding from the Canadian Foundation for Innovation and Research Nova Scotia, not only for the global contribution of the research their work supports, but for the engagement in the local communities we serve,” she says.

The John R. Evans Leaders Fund enables a select number of an institution’s excellent researchers to undertake leading-edge research by providing them with the foundational research infrastructure required to be or become leaders in their field. Research Nova Scotia further contributes to the federal government’s efforts, supporting research infrastructure. In partnership with the CFI, Research Nova Scotia helps institutions remain competitive in areas of research and technology development.